Congress Defends Mattathur Panchayat Alliance with BJP; No Resignations Sought from Leaders

Thrissur: Despite forming an alliance with the BJP and taking control of the Mattathur panchayat, Congress leaders have not asked them to resign from their posts, DCC General Secretary T N Chandran and panchayat members said at a press conference.

They stated that no whip was issued by DCC during the presidential election in the panchayat. After being elected, panchayat president Tessy jose kallarackal , vice-president Noorjahan, and other members visited the Thrissur DCC office, but even at that stage, they were not asked to step down from their positions. No Congress leader termed their action wrong, nor was any explanation sought, they said.

DCC president Joseph Tajet reportedly told them that the KPCC would take a decision on the matter. They also expressed happiness that Opposition Leader V D Satheesan had said he was with them.

The members clarified that they had not resigned from the Congress and that reports claiming resignation letters were submitted were incorrect. Responding to questions on whether it was ethically wrong to remain Congress members while ruling with BJP support, they said local circumstances in Mattathur had led to the situation.

T N Chandran alleged that three candidates in Mattathur who were allotted the official Congress symbol for the local body elections by the DCC had actually canvassed votes for the BJP. He claimed to possess video evidence of this and said he had sent it to the DCC president, but no action was taken.

They added that disciplinary action taken against them would be withdrawn and that they could not currently say whether they would resign from their posts. Any such decision would be taken only after discussions with party leaders.

As the press conference progressed, Congress leaders became hostile toward journalists when questioned further. Those present included panchayat president Tessy Jose Kallarackal, vice-president Noorjahan, block panchayat member Praveen M Kumar, ward member Linto Pallipparambil, and mandalam president Shafi Kallupparambil.

‘Congress Janata Party’: Widespread Social Media Criticism

The Congress has come under heavy criticism on social media for aligning with the BJP to defeat the LDF in Mattathur. Facebook posts mocking the party as the “Congress Janata Party” have gone viral.

A satirical short film titled “Oru Mattathur Kanavu” (“A Mattathur Dream”) has also been released online. Users sarcastically praised its “script and direction that challenge conventional cinema” and said its final twist shocked even the creators.

Local Congress workers have openly alleged that Congress members joined the BJP alliance in exchange for money. A satirical song suggesting that Mahatma Gandhi would have “broken the heads” of Mattathur Congress leaders if he were alive has also gone viral. Videos show people dancing in outfits bearing the lotus symbol on the front and the hand symbol on the back.

Several posts mock BJP-aligned members as “new friends donated by the Congress to the BJP” and sarcastically offer them salutes.

UDF Allegedly Secures Power Using Twenty20, Welfare Party Support

In Vadavukode–Puthencruz panchayat, the UDF allegedly came to power with the support of votes from Twenty20. The seat tally was LDF-8, UDF-7, Twenty20-2. The panchayat had been ruled by the LDF for the past three terms. To defeat the LDF, the UDF and Twenty20 reportedly joined hands, with both Twenty20 members voting for the UDF candidates in the president and vice-president elections.

In Keezhmad panchayat as well, the Welfare Party’s two members voted for the UDF in the presidential and vice-presidential elections, exposing what critics called an “unholy alliance.”

In Vengola panchayat, an understanding was reportedly reached with the SDPI. However, with the LDF and Twenty20 abstaining, quorum was not met and the election was postponed.

In Chennamangalam panchayat, the UDF allegedly captured power through questionable means by securing the vote of an independent member. The independent later claimed that he was promised 10 lakh rupees for his support.

Thiruvanchoor Justifies Congress–BJP Alliance in Kumarakom

Congress MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan justified the Congress–BJP alliance in Kumarakom panchayat. Speaking to the media in Kottayam, he said:

“AP Gopi, who won as president, contested as an independent. We are not obliged to bring back a person who left the CPI(M). That is why the UDF supported independent candidate Gopi in the presidential election.”